Butterfly (Prequal to Burn)

E L E V E N

Jax watched the pencil neck walk from the room with Riley in his arms. The boy kissed her head and whispered into her ear telling her everything was going to be okay. Rage boiled inside of him. Whether he liked it or not, Jax was connected to Riley through his brother. That's how he'd gotten involved with her in the first place.

Jax wasn't at all jealous. A boyfriend got jealous when another guy stole his girlfriend. No, Jax was pissed as someone might be when something that belonged to them was stolen.

Sure, Jax has fucked around with plenty of women in his days but he was never forced to stick around and watch those women fuck and mess with other guys. With Riley, it was different. They were connected because of Robbie and Jax had made a promise to someone a long time ago that he'd always stick around to care for his little brother. That meant bein' there for him when he was hopeless and lost. Being married scared Robbie shitless and it was up to Jax to keep him calm.

Another thing about was that Riley was fresh and ripe—young and inexperienced. He'd taken her first time from her and couldn't seem to stop taking it from her. It felt as if every time was her first time. She had been his. In a way, he'd claimed her first. He'd touched her first—marked her first.

Seeing another guy hooking his claws into her snapped something inside of him. In his mind, Jax could fuck as many women as he wanted and never be tied down to one as long as he got to keep Riley to himself...

ℛℳ

Jax situated himself in his living room. He tipped a bottle to his lips letting the alcohol sting the back of his throat. The woman beside him giggled as he kissed the soft skin of her neck. His teeth bit down on her vein and she moaned. He made sure to sweep his tongue over her skin every time he kissed her.

His hands roamed up her shirt, cupping the swollen mounds beneath as he pushed the woman back on his couch.

A knock at the door had him sitting up....

Riley was in the car with Tyler, "Why wouldn't you tell me?!"

"I'm sorry!!!!" She screamed.

"No. You're not!" He snapped, "I can't...why?! Huh? Why, Riley?!?!"

"I don't know!!" She started to sob and cry. Tyler steered the car into a different lane, "Stop yelling!"

"I can't! My girlfriend. My life lied to me!"

"I didn't lie! I just didn't tell you!" Riley snapped.

"Which is the same as lying! God..I can't.." Tyler shook his head....

Jax opened the door to his apartment and behind the threshold stood Riley's best friend. Jax cocked his head to the side.

"Take a hike, sister. This doesn't concern you." Michelle snapped at the woman sitting on Jax's couch. The woman scoffed, "Uh, rude." She said and swept passed Jax, clutching her jacket close. Michelle walked into Jax's apartment without permission.

"Sit. I need to tell you something about Riley." Michelle cocked her hip to the side and waited for Jax to do as she said.

"I'll do what I fuckin' want." He snapped.

Michelle cocked her own head and purses her lips...

"Why would you do this to me, Riley?!" Tyler screamed as they drove to his apartment. He had tears brimming his own eyes. He looked at her and she started to sob.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

She repeated the mantra over and over again.

"I love you, Riley. You have to know that." Tyler begged her to see but what?

She shook her head, begging to see that same love buried deep within her...

"What do ya want." Jax demanded, leaning against the wall. Michelle shook her head, black curly hair bouncing over her shoulders. She held a little stick up—a pregnancy test.

"Why are you showin' me."

"Because it's your baby." Michelle snapped...

"Tyler..."

"Don't talk. Just don't." He snapped, "I don't have words, Riley."

"Really?!" She screamed, "You're supposed to comfort me! Be there for me! I didn't go behind your back! It happened before you even came to live with us!"

Tyler started yelling and so did Riley. Both trying to defend themselves. A horn honked loudly before glass shattered and the front of the car folded in on itself. Riley screamed once before silence perused...

"Riley is pregnant with your baby, Jax!" Michelle snapped. Jax stood stock still. Michelle shook her head as her phone started to ring.

"Hello?" She snapped. Her face dropped and she mouthed something, "M-Mrs. Miller, calm down. What did you just say?" Riley asked, "O-oh my god.."

"What." Jax barked and stepped forward quickly. Michelle held her hand up, stopping him.

"I'll be right there." Michelle said holding her breath. She hung up and looked into Jax's eyes, "Riley and Tyler are in the hospital."